US8942647B2

US8942647B2 - Method and system for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication

Info

Publication number: US8942647B2
Application number: US12/895,537
Authority: US
Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran; Maryam Rofougaran
Original assignee: Broadcom Corp
Current assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2010-09-30
Publication date: 2015-01-27
Also published as: US20120083306A1

Abstract

Methods and systems for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication are disclosed and may include enabling antenna configurations in a plurality of remote RF modules within a computing device to receive RF signals. A signal characteristic may be measured for the configurations receiving an RF signal from a remote device. IF signals may be generated from baseband signals and may be communicated to RF modules based on the signal characteristic via coaxial lines, and may be up-converted to output RF signals utilizing the RF modules. The output RF signals may be transmitted via antennas in the RF modules. The IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines may be tapped via taps coupled to the RF modules. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source. Control signals for the RF devices may be communicated utilizing the coaxial lines.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to:

U. S. patent application Ser. No. 12/895,503 filed on Sep. 30, 2010;

U. S. patent application Ser. No. 12/895,514 filed on Sep. 30, 2010;

U. S. patent application Ser. No. 12/895,520 filed on Sep. 30, 2010;

U. S. patent application Ser. No. 12/895,528 filed on Sep. 30, 2010;

U. S. patent application Ser. No. 12/895,547 filed on Sep. 30, 2010 ; and

U. S. patent application Ser. No. 12/895,573 filed on Sep. 30, 2010.

Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated a large contiguous block of 7 GHz bandwidth for communications in the 57 GHz to 64 GHz spectrum. This frequency band may be used by the spectrum users on an unlicensed basis, that is, the spectrum is accessible to anyone, subject to certain basic, technical restrictions such as maximum transmission power and certain coexistence requirements. The communications taking place in this band are often referred to as ‘60 GHz communications’. With respect to the accessibility of this part of the spectrum, 60 GHz communications may be somewhat similar to other forms of unlicensed spectrum use, for example Wireless LANs or Bluetooth in the 2.4 GHz ISM bands. However, communications at 60 GHz may be significantly different in aspects other than accessibility. For example, 60 GHz signals may possess markedly different communications channel and propagation characteristics, at least due to the fact that 60 GHz radiation is partly absorbed by oxygen in the air, thereby leading to higher attenuation with distance. On the other hand, since a very large bandwidth of 7 GHz is available, very high data rates may be achieved. Among the applications for 60 GHz communications are wireless personal area networks, wireless high-definition television signal, for example from a set top box to a display, or Point-to-Point links.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a laptop computer with an exemplary 60 GHz distributed communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary 60 GHz communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary RF device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps in antenna switched 60 GHz distributed communication, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication. Exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise enabling one or more antenna configurations in a plurality of remote RF modules within a computing device to receive RF signals. A signal characteristic may be measured for each of the one or more antenna configurations receiving an RF signal from a remote device. IF signals may be generated from baseband signals and may be communicated to one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules based on the signal characteristic via one or more coaxial lines. The IF signals may be up-converted to output RF signals utilizing the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules. The output RF signals may be transmitted via one or more antennas in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules. The IF signals in the one or more coaxial lines may be tapped at taps coupled to the plurality of remote RF modules. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source. The output RF signals may be transmitted to a display device. Control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices may be communicated utilizing the one or more coaxial lines. The signal characteristic may comprise a received signal strength indicator, and/or bit error rate. The output RF signals may comprise 60 GHz signals.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown an access point 112 b, a host device 110 a, a local data source 113, a receiving device 114 a, a plurality of antennas 120A-120E, a router 130, the Internet 132 and a web server 134. The host device 110 a, or computer, for example, may comprise a wireless radio 111 a, a short-range radio 111 b, a host processor 111 c, and a host memory 111 d. There is also shown a wireless connection between the wireless radio 111 a and the access point 112 b, and a short-range wireless connection between the short-range radio 111 b and the receiving device 114 a.

The host device 110 a may comprise a computer or set-top box device, for example, that may be operable to receive signals from data sources, process the received data, and communicate the processed data to receiving devices. Accordingly, the host device 110 a may comprise processors, such as the host processor 111 c, storage devices such as the host memory 111 d, and communication devices, such as the wireless radio 111 a and the short range radio 111 b.

The wireless radio 111 a may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to communicate wireless signals to between the host device 110 a and external devices, such as the access point 112 b, for example. Accordingly, the wireless radio 111 a may comprise amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, phase-locked loops, and clock sources, for example, that enable the communication of wireless signals.

The short-range radio 111 b may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to communicate wireless signals over short distances. Accordingly, the frequency of transmission/reception may be in the 60 GHz range, which may enable short-range communications due to the attenuation of signals in air at this frequency. Similarly, the short-range radio 111 b may comprise amplifiers, mixers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, phase-locked loops, and clock sources, for example, that enable the communication of wireless signals.

The host processor 111 c may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to received control and/or data information, which may comprise programmable parameters, to determine an operating mode of the wireless radio 111 a and the short-range radio 111 b. For example, the host processor 111 c may be utilized to select a specific frequency for a local oscillator, a specific gain for a variable gain amplifier, configure the local oscillator and/or configure the variable gain amplifier for operation in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Moreover, the specific frequency selected and/or parameters needed to calculate the specific frequency, and/or the specific gain value and/or the parameters, which may be utilized to calculate the specific gain, may be stored in the host memory 111 d via the host processor 111 c, for example. The information stored in host memory 111 d may be transferred to the wireless radio 111 a and/or the short-range radio 111 b from the host memory 111 d via the host processor 111 c.

The host memory 111 d may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to store a plurality of control and/or data information, including parameters needed to calculate frequencies and/or gain, and/or the frequency value and/or gain value. The host memory 111 d may store at least a portion of the programmable parameters that may be manipulated by the host processor 111 c.

The access point 112 b may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to provide wireless signals to one or more devices within its range. The access point 112 b may be coupled to the router 130, thereby enabling connection to the Internet for devices that are operable to communicate with the access point 112 b.

The local data source 113 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to communicate data to the host device 110 a. For example, the local data source may comprise a DVD player, and MP3 player, and/or a set-top box.

The receiving device 114A may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to receive data communicated by the host device 110 a via the short-range radio 111 b. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the receiving device 114A may comprise an HDTV that may be operable to display HD video signals and playback associated audio signals.

The antennas 120A-120E may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. For example, the antenna 120A may be operable to transmit and receive wireless signals between the access point 112 b and the wireless radio 111 a, and the antennas 120B-120E may be operable to communicate signals between the short range radio 111 b and one or more external devices, such as the receiving devices 114A. The invention is not limited to the number of antennas shown in FIG. 1A. Accordingly, any number of antennas may be integrated in the host device 110 a, depending on space limitations and desired RF transmission directionality.

The router 130 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be enabled to communicate signals between the access point 112 b and the Internet. In this manner, devices within range of the access point 112 b may be enabled to connect to the Internet.

The web server 134 may comprise a remote server that may be operable to store content that may be accessed by the host device 110 a via the Internet 132. For example, the web server 134 may comprise a movie provider server and may be operable to communicate a desired movie to the host device 110 a via the Internet for display via the receiving device 114A.

Frequently, computing and communication devices may comprise hardware and software to communicate using multiple wireless communication standards. The wireless radio 111 a may be compliant with a mobile communications standard, for example. There may be instances when the wireless radio 111 a and the short-range radio 111 b may be active concurrently. For example, it may be desirable for a user of the computer or host device 110 a to access the Internet 132 in order to consume streaming content from the Web server 134. Accordingly, the user may establish a wireless connection between the host device 110 a and the access point 112 b. Once this connection is established, the streaming content from the Web server 134 may be received via the router 130, the access point 112 b, and the wireless connection, and consumed by the computer or host device 110 a.

It may be further desirable for the user of the host device 110 a to communicate the streaming content to the receiving device 114 a, which may comprise a TV or other type of display, for example. Accordingly, the user of the host device 110 a may establish a short-range wireless connection with the receiving device 114 a. Once the short-range wireless connection is established, and with suitable configurations on the computer enabled, the streaming content may be displayed by the receiving device 114 a. In instances where such advanced communication systems are integrated or located within the host device 110 a, the radio frequency (RF) generation may support fast-switching to enable support of multiple communication standards and/or advanced wideband systems like, for example, Ultrawideband (UWB) radio. Other applications of short-range communications may be wireless High-Definition TV (W-HDTV), from a set top box to a video display, for example. W-HDTV may require high data rates that may be achieved with large bandwidth communication technologies, for example UWB and/or 60-GHz communications.

In another embodiment of the invention, the local data source 113 may be operable to provide data to be displayed by the receiving device 114 a via the host device 110 a. For example, the local data source may comprise a DVD player or a digital video recorder. The local data source may communicate with the host device 110 a via a wired connection or via a wireless connection, either directly with the host device 110 a or via the access point 112 b.

In an embodiment of the invention, the short range radio 111 b may comprise a plurality of antennas and frequency up-conversion devices throughout the host device 110 a for communicating high frequency RF signals. The short range radio 111 b may comprise a baseband and IF stage with a single high power PA that may communicate IF signals over thin coaxial lines. Taps may be configured to couple the IF signals from the coaxial lines to the frequency up-conversion devices before being communicated to the plurality of antennas. In this manner, IF signals may be amplified by a single PA and subsequently up-converted to 60 GHz, for example, for transmission via a plurality of antennas without the need for multiple PAs with excessive power requirements.

By utilizing a plurality of up-conversion transmission/reception devices, each with one or more antennas, high-frequency RF transmission and reception may be improved since the optimum configuration may be determined by coupling a plurality of antenna configurations and measuring received signal characteristics. For example, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) may be measured for a plurality of configurations to determine the optimum transmission configuration depending on the location of the receiving device. A particular transmission and/or reception device may have optimum transmission and/or reception capability with an external device due to proximity and direction from the host device 110 a, while another transmission/reception device may have optimum communication quality with another external device. Optimum transmission capability may be determined based on signal strength, bit error rate, latency, date rate, and/or noise characteristics, for example.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a laptop computer with an exemplary 60 GHz distributed communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown a laptop computer comprising a display 121, keyboard 123, and a plurality of antennas 120A-120M.

The antennas 120A-120M may be substantially similar to the antennas 120A-120E described with respect to FIG. 1A, and may comprise antennas coupled to a plurality of remote RF devices throughout the laptop 150. In this manner, one or more antenna configurations may be enabled, depending on the location of the receiving device, such as the receiving device 114A, and the antenna configuration that results in the greatest signal strength, lowest bit error rate, highest data throughput, lowest latency, and/or the optimum of any other desired wireless communication characteristic.

The antennas 120A-120M may be coupled to remote RF devices throughout the laptop 150. The remote RF devices may receive IF signals from a baseband and IF module via thin coaxial lines, described with respect to FIG. 2, and may be operable to up-convert received IF signals to RF signals. In this manner, lower frequency signals may be communicated throughout the laptop 150 to the antennas that result in desired signal quality. This may enable a single high-power PA stage that amplifies the IF signals that are then up-converted to RF in the remote RF modules.

In operation, a short-range wireless communication channel may be enabled between the laptop 150 and the receiving device 114A. A plurality of antenna configurations may be assessed for a desired performance characteristic, such as signal strength, bit error rate, data throughput, and/or latency, for example. The remote RF device configuration with the resulting desired performance may then be enabled to receive IF signals via coaxial lines from a centrally located baseband and IF module, and up-convert the signals to RF before transmitting via the appropriate antennas 120A-120M. In this manner, short-range communications may be enabled to one or more devices independent of its location in proximity with the laptop 150.

Furthermore, the frequency of the communicated signals may be different for different enabled antennas 120A-120M, thereby allowing a plurality of signals to be transmitted concurrently. In this manner, a plurality of IF signals may be communicated via coaxial lines to a plurality of remote RF devices, which may up-convert the IF signals to different RF frequencies, or subbands, for transmission.

The selected antennas may be switched depending on the location and direction of a receiving device with respect to the laptop 150.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a 60 GHz communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a baseband and IF module 201, RF devices 203A-203H, taps 205A-205H, and thin coaxial line 207. The baseband and IF module 201 may comprise a power amplifier 201A that may be operable to amplify IF signals.

The baseband and IF module 201 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to generate IF signals comprising baseband data. The baseband and IF module 201 may comprise one or more processors, such as a baseband processor, memory, and frequency conversion devices, for example. The processor or processors in the baseband and IF module 201 may be any suitable processor or controller such as a CPU, DSP, ARM, or any type of integrated circuit processor, and may be enabled to update and/or modify programmable parameters and/or values in a plurality of components, devices, and/or processing elements in the baseband and IF module 201. At least a portion of the programmable parameters may be stored in memory, such as the host memory 111 d, for example, or dedicated memory in the baseband and IF module 201.

The RF devices 203A-203H may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to convert received IF signals to RF frequencies and transmit the RF signals via one or more antennas. The RF devices 203A-203H may be configured remotely throughout a wireless communication device, such as the host device 110 a, described with respect to FIG. 1, so that 60 GHz signals may be communicated from a plurality of directions, depending on the location of a device that is the intended receiving device. By incorporating frequency up-conversion capability in the RF devices 203A-203H, IF signals may be communicated from a single high power PA, the PA 201A, in the baseband and IF module 201 via the thin coaxial line 207.

The taps 205A-205H may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to couple a portion of the IF signal being communicated via the thin coaxial line 207 to the associated RF devices 203A-203H. In this manner, taps may be configured to couple signals when it may be desired to transmit RF signals via one or more of the RF devices 203A-203H.

The thin coaxial line 207 may comprise coaxial conductors separated by a dielectric material, for example, and may be operable to communicate IF signals throughout a device, such as the host device 110 a. In another embodiment of the invention, the thin coaxial line 207 may be operable to provide DC power for various devices within the host device 110 a, such as the RF devices 203A-203H.

In operation, the baseband and IF module 201 may process baseband signals for transmission via the RF devices 203A-203H. The baseband signals may be up-converted to IF and amplified by the PA 201A prior to communication via the thin coaxial line 207, which may distribute the IF signals throughout the device, such as the host device 110 a, for example. One or more of the taps 205A-205H may be enabled to tap a portion of the communicated IF signals to associated RF devices 203A-203H. The RF devices 203A-203H may up-convert the tapped IF signals to RF frequencies, such as 60 GHz, for example, before transmission via one or more antennas in the RF devices 203A-203H. In this manner, an RF power amplifier is not required at each RF device 203A-203H, which would require more power than by utilizing a single PA at the IF stage in the baseband and IF module 201.

In addition to IF signals to be up-converted and transmitted, the thin coaxial line 207 may communicate low frequency control signals to the RF devices 203A-203H and the taps 205A-205H. The control signals may be utilized to configure which of the taps 205A-205H may be activated to tap off part of the IF signals for transmission by the appropriate RF device 202A-203H. In addition, the control signals may be utilized to configure the up-conversion performed in the RF devices 203A-203H. In this manner, only those RF devices 203A-203H that have antennas in an appropriate direction for a desired receiving device may be activated, further reducing power requirements.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the RF devices 203A-203H may be enabled individually to determine an RSSI for communication between the host device 110 a and a remote device, such as the receiving device 114A. One or more antennas in the RF devices 203A-203H may be sequentially enabled, or in any desired order, to determine an antenna configuration that results in the maximum received signal strength, for example. The configuration parameters may be communicated utilizing control channels communicated over the thin coaxial line 207, and the measured signal parameters may be communicated back to the baseband and IF module 201 via the same coaxial line. The control channels may reside at different frequencies than the IF signals to enable multi-signal communication over the thin coaxial line 207.

The RF device and antenna configuration process may continue for each RF device 203A-203H, as well as with different combinations of RF devices to increase the strength and/or quality, through measured bit error rate (BER), for example, of the received signal. The optimum configuration measured may then be utilized to transmit signals to the desired target device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an RF device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a tap 305, a coaxial line 307 and an RF device 300 comprising a mixer 301, antennas 303A-303D, and high-pass filter 309. The antennas 303A-303D may comprise antennas operable to transmit and/or receive RF signals, and may be configured with different orientations, for example. The tap 305 and the coaxial line 307 may be substantially similar to the taps 205A-205H and the coaxial line 207 described with respect to FIG. 2.

The mixer 301 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to frequency shift a received input signal. For example, the mixer 301 may receive an IF input signal and generate an RF output signal. The mixer 301 may also receive as an input signal, an LO signal that may be utilized to up-convert the received IF signal to RF frequencies.

The high-pass filter 309 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to attenuate low-frequency signals, defined as signals below a configurable corner frequency, and allow frequencies above the corner frequency to pass. For example, if sum and difference signals are generated by the mixer 301 based on the LO signal and received IF signal, the high-pass filter 309 may allow only the high frequency RF signal to pass to the antenna 303.

In operation, control signals in the coaxial line 307 may configure the tap 305 to tap off a portion of an IF signal communicated via the coaxial line 307 and communicate it to the mixer 301. The LO signal may be utilized to up-convert the IF signal to RF frequencies, and the high-pass filter 309 may filter out all but the desired signal at a frequency above a configurable corner frequency of the high-pass filter 309. The control signals may also configure the frequency of the LO signal, thereby configuring the frequency of the RF signal to be communicated.

The filtered RF signal may then be communicated to one or more of the antennas 303A-303D. A desired signal characteristic, such as RSSI or BER, for example, may be utilized to assess the signal received in a plurality of antenna configurations. This may be repeated for each of the antennas 303A-303D as well as for each RF device. In this manner, if one or more of the antennas 303A-303D results in the best signal, that configuration may then be used to communicate RF signal with desired receiving devices.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary steps in antenna switched 60 GHz distributed communication, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, after start step 401, in step 403, the RF device and the antenna configurations may be enabled. In step 405, the optimum configuration for the desired receiving device may be determined. In step 407, the IF signal may be tapped off by one or more taps at the remote RF modules where they may be up-converted to RF frequencies. In step 409, the RF signals may be transmitted by one or more antennas, followed by end step 411.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method and system may comprise enabling one or more antenna configurations in a plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 300 within a computing device 110 a to receive RF signals. A signal characteristic may be measured for each of the one or more antenna configurations receiving an RF signal from a receiving device 114 a. IF signals may be generated from baseband signals and may be amplified by the power amplifier 201A prior to being communicated to one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 300 based on the signal characteristic via one or more

coaxial lines

207, 307. The IF signals may be up-converted to output RF signals utilizing the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 300. The output RF signals may be transmitted via one or more antennas 303A-303D in the one or more of the plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 300. The IF signals in the one or more

coaxial lines

207, 307 may be tapped at taps 205A-205H, 305 coupled to the plurality of remote RF modules 203A-203H, 300. The baseband signals may comprise video data, Internet streamed data, and/or data from a local data source 113. The output RF signals may be transmitted to a receiving device 114A. Control signals for the plurality of remote RF devices 203A-203H, 300 may be communicated utilizing the one or more

coaxial lines

207, 307. The signal characteristic may comprise a received signal strength indicator, and/or bit error rate. The output RF signals may comprise 60 GHz signals.

Other embodiments of the invention may provide a non-transitory computer readable medium and/or storage medium, and/or a non-transitory machine readable medium and/or storage medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for antenna switching for 60 GHz distributed communication.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a board level product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with other portions of the system as separate components. The degree of integration of the system will primarily be determined by speed and cost considerations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modern processors, it is possible to utilize a commercially available processor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementation of the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available as an ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processor may be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functions implemented as firmware.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. However, other meanings of computer program within the understanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by the present invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

in a wireless communication device comprising a plurality of remote RF modules within said wireless communication device

enabling a plurality of antenna configurations in said plurality of remote RF modules to receive RF signals;

measuring a signal characteristic for each of said plurality of antenna configurations receiving an RF signal from one or more devices external to said wireless communication device;

amplifying one or more IF signals with a power amplifier in a final amplification stage;

configuring one or more coaxial lines within said wireless communication device, utilizing said measurements, to communicate the one or more amplified IF signals that are generated within said wireless communication device to one or more of said plurality of remote RF modules, the one or more amplified IF signals being one or more analog signals;

communicating control signals for said plurality of remote RF modules utilizing said one or more coaxial lines on a frequency different than the one or more amplified IF signals;

directly upconverting the one or more amplified IF signals to output RF signals utilizing said one or more of said plurality of remote RF modules; and

transmitting said output RF signals via one or more antennas in said one or more of said plurality of remote RF modules,

wherein said wireless communication device comprises a body and wherein said plurality of remote RF modules and said one or more coaxial lines are within said body of said wireless communication device.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising tapping said one or more amplified IF signals in said one or more coaxial lines at taps coupled to said plurality of remote RF modules.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more amplified IF signals comprise one or more of: video data, streamed Internet data, and data from a local data source.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising: generating said one or more amplified IF signals from one or more baseband signals; and

transmitting said output RF signals to a display device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amplifying comprises amplifying said one or more IF signals in the power amplifier prior to said communication via said one or more coaxial lines.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said signal characteristic comprises a received signal strength indicator.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said signal characteristic comprises bit error rate.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said output RF signals comprise 60 GHz signals.

9. A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:

one or more circuits and a plurality of remote RF modules in a computing device with wireless capability, said one or more circuits are operable to

enable a plurality of antenna configurations in said plurality of remote RF modules within said computing device to receive RF signals;

measure a signal characteristic for each of said plurality of antenna configurations receiving an RF signal from a remote device;

configuring one or more coaxial lines within said computing device, utilizing said measured signal characteristic, to communicate one or more amplified IF signals generated from baseband signals to one or more of said plurality of remote RF modules, said one or more amplified IF signals being one or more analog signals amplified by a power amplifier in a final amplification state;

directly up-convert said one or more amplified IF signals to output RF signals utilizing said one or more of said plurality of remote RF modules; and

transmit said output RF signals via one or more antennas in said one or more of said plurality of remote RF modules, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to communicate control signals for said plurality of remote RF modules utilizing said one or more coaxial lines on a frequency different than the one or more amplified IF signals,

wherein said computing device comprises a body, and wherein said plurality of remote RF modules and said one or more coaxial lines are within said body of said computing device.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to tap said one or more amplified IF signals in said one or more coaxial lines at taps coupled to said plurality of remote RF modules.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said baseband signals comprise one or more of: video data, streamed Internet data, and data from a local data source.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to:

generate said one or more amplified IF signals from one or more baseband signals; and

transmit said output RF signals to a display device.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to amplify said one or more amplified IF signals in the power amplifier prior to said communication via said one or more coaxial lines.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein said signal characteristic comprises a received signal strength indicator.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein said signal characteristic comprises bit error rate.

16. The system according to claim 9, wherein said output RF signals comprise 60 GHz signals.